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TO TTIF. 



SENATE AND liKlMIKSKNTAThES 

OF TUK 

U.S. OF AMEIUCA IN ((iMillKSS ASSKMBLKD. 
THIS ArEALORlAL 

IS PRESPJNTED BY KMMA WILLAKD, 

fi 

Ifi the name and hi/ /he duthorifif of Amerirtni WOf/ien 
of 

RKSPECTFrLIA' KKPRESENTS : 

Tliat we are iinpellcd to address your Hitiionible Body by intrnse 
anxiety for the fate of our beloved country, now in the conflict of opinions 
threatened with destruction. History is not without examples that when 
deadly strife was raging among men, women came between th«! hostile 
parties and persuaded them to peace. So would we do now ; and if Ave 
could, in addition to our persuasions, bring forward some new ideas, or a 
plan of settlement, which, being now first proposed, would have no pre- 
conceived prejudices to encounter, — a iilan which offers a reasonable pros- 
pect that peace may be restored, and when attained, may endure and be 
made permanent, — we should have hopes that such a plan might be received 
with favor by your Honorable Body ; as coming from that sex, whose 
mission on earth is peace, duty, and righteousness ; both in asssisting to 
devise, and to fulfill. 

Our hope and our prayer is, that this noble country, our nursing mother, 
— our protection and our pride, may be preserved entire. A Continent in 
extent, an island in security — its harbors opening on the great oceans, it 
exceeds in geographical position, and commercial advantages, any nation 
of the present or the past. And while such is its ground-plat, its govern- 
ment is not the mere chance offspring of necessity, but deliberately devised 
from the te:icliing.s of all pa.st ages, by men of the highest intellectual and 
moral stamp, with Washington at their head ; and who, with pious hearts 



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sought yet higher guidance in the wisdom of God. And thnt their design 
to make a better government than any which had gone before, was tri- 
umphantly achieved, is proved by our unparalleled growth and prosperity 
under it, — our liberty and security united; so that our beloved America 
became the envy and admiration of other nations, — a warning to the 
oppressor, and a beacon light to the oppressed. 

Thus it has been ; — but now the picture is reversed ; — the pall of dark- 
ness is over us — the frown of God is upon us. Wrong is in our borders ; 
for not more certainly may it be known that tempestuous winds have 
arisen when the sea is lashed into foam, than it may be known by these 
upheavings of society that evil passions have been at work — producing 
among us uncharitableness and hatred. 

- The question now before us then, is. How as a christian people, may 
we regain the favor of God, — return to the brotherly love which once 
blessed us, and be ;igain a united and happy people. 

When we have become sufficiently humbled by the chastisement which 
God is now inflicting upon us, — when we have seen how our present 
course of hatred and disunion is not onlj^ destroying our national credit 
and consequence, but disgracing us in the eyes of foreign nations, — when 
we have realized what horiid prospects of civil war are before us, — brother 
fighting ag;iinst brother, and fither against son, — of devastated liomes — 
mouining mothers — bereaved widows — and destitute orphans, — with the 
further prospect still more horrible — of servile wars, in which a race who 
dnserve the sympathetic care of our whole country, — with deceived hearts, 
believing that the North are to set them free, sliall rise up with intent to 
do their work of cruelty upon the Sou'h, and then to be swept from the 
face of the e uth; — wlieii we are all — North and South — sufficiently hum- 
bled to see these and other evils, involving the failure of all business pros- 
perity, till grass shall grow in the stre;4s of our cities, — when we have 
fully realized that suuli is the ten lency of ou ' present wrougcourse — then 
shall we be ready to inquiix' for the Right, — knowing that whatever is of 
Right, is of God. In it as in Him, there is Unity. Its path is straight, 
and if we can fiud it, all — North and South., East and West, —may walk 
together in it, not disturbing each other, but traveling togetlier in har- 
mony and love. Every step towards it is a gain, ami the more cordially 
it is embraced, the more firmly will it become established. To seek for 
Right in order to do it, is to draw near to God. If we seek His wisdom 
he will give liberally and upbraidings shall cease. 

Suppose his voice should now audibly inquire of all and of each, "Are 
you willing to do right?" and there came from a chastened people the 
universal reply, "I am;" — and again should the voice divine inquire 



3 

^ . „ , 

^>.." Are you ready to be satisfied with others when they do right? and 

^ again there should come up a universal response, " We are," — then the 

^ difficulty wliich now besets us concerning the colored race, would be nar- 

yfowed to a single point, and could be put in a way of being settled 
([^forever: — not in conflict, but in that righteousness, whose fruit is enduring 
peace. 

What remains will then be to agree on some method of finding out what 
the right in this case is, or of making the nearest possible approach to it ; so 
that those who have the care of the colored race ma}^ do it; and which, 
they thus doing, all others m the Union are to be satisfied in heart, — to 
approve and to uphold. 

In order then that this riglit path m^y be found and made known, and 
since this controversy respects a subordinate but naturally affectionate race, 
placed by Providence within this nation, and entitled to its care — and since 
Ave have reason to fear, that some of the free states refusing them entrance, 
have in this respect made cruel laws, while other states in which they are 
held in bondage, may have wronged them by such laws as needlessly sepa- 
rate affectionate married pairs, and part mothers from their little children, 
— and since at the North there have been wrong opinions prevailing, 
which have led to words and acts justly offensive to the South, and since 
we of the North are not able to go thither in person, to see for our- 
selves that the race for whom our sympathies have been excessively ex- 
cited, (and as we believe by falsehoods told by enemies for interested pur- 
poses,) — your petitioners, for these and other reasons, would therefore 
suggest with deference, that your Honorable Body, should create a Com- 
mission, — as Guardians of the colored race, and Arbiters for the just and 
peaceful settlement of the Slavery question, on the foundation of right, to 
be done by tlie one party and to be firmly and boldly u})held by the other. 
And this regardless of the sneers of foreign 2}oliticia7is, who wish to divide 
us, so that our power as a nation nia^- not become inconvenient to them 
— and the more subtle influences of poetical flourishes whether found in the 
Declaration of Independence, or in the beautiful woiks of Cowper, Camp- 
bell, and others, which have injuriously assumed the unphilosophical dogma 

- of the equality of races — and also throwing off the shackles of thai super- 
stition, which denounces the hereditary master's claim to the service of a 
race whom he guides by his superior wisdom, and provides for with pater- 
nal care, as a sin so foul, that it pollutes the very soil he treads on. The 
abuses of negro servitude, we are no more obligated by these resolves to 
uphold, than we are bound to justify tlie tyranny of husbands because we 
defend the institution of marriage. 

The men appointed as Commissioners should be a few, from among those 
rare charact-ers in wh<'>m a.ll ronfidfi ; not too few to perform the highest, 



most arduous, and most responsible labor ot" the times ; and not so many, as 
too much to divide responsibility, and embarrass action. • Perhaps the num- 
ber five, two from the South and two from the North, the four to clioose a 
fifth, would constitute the just medium. Tliese Commissioners, when chosen, 
are to devote themselves to find for us that right way which we have presup- 
posed that we are all — North and South — now ready to follow ; though it 
might require the sacrifice of interest, and of pre-conceived opinions. At least 
a part of those Commissioners sliould be men profound in legal learning; for 
in order that they may worthily fulfill their mission, the legislatures, both 
of the states and tlie nation, should feel themselves bound to regard, in their 
legislation, the unanimous recommendation of the Board. They miglit also 
constitute a high Court of Appeal, in those cases wliich have lieretofore 
caused so much perplexity — of colored servants escaped from one state and 
reclaimed in another, and as right to all parlies in this matter is their 
special duty, they w-ill know how to require such regulations as to ])revent 
those modes of wrong to masters — and unfortunate lures to servants, as 
have borne the name of under-ground railroads. 

The South are to do right, the North to become satisfied and then assist 
and uphold their brethren, both concerning the loyalty and service of their 
bondsmen ; and also in theii reputation as righteous doers, conscientiously 
performing their duties in the care of the sick, the aged and infirm — and 
therefore having a just title to their labors when in liealth and strength. 

These Commissioners, if righth' chosen, and duly confided in, might, 
we conceive, save their country; — for it is the slavery question which 
threatens its destruction ; — and thus they might do as great a work as ever 
was done by man. The poor African tossed about and injured as much by 
his friends as his enemies, might now feel that he has political guardians 
in whom he may confide. Those good people of the North whose often 
misguided, but always conscientious uneasiness concerning his condition — 
which has in its effects, (though partly through the misapprehension of 
the South.) wrought the present distracted state of the country — might 
now quiet their minds. The xvord Slavery which has done so much mis- 
chief, should at any rate, even now be dropped." 

And if the Northern mind becomes thus quieted and settled, then the 
South will gladly resume the work of improving the lilacks; and associ- 
ations will again be formed for their moral and religious improvement, 
such as the Rev. Dr. Fuller informs us, met in 1835, in Charleston — pre. 
.sided over by the venerable Judge Huger, tlie friend of Lafayette, and 
'•representing ;dinost all the wisdom and wealth of South Carolina," with 

•Tliis plan of selllemcnt competes with no other now before Congress. We hope tliat proposed 
l>y Criltenderi, our scouimI lleiiry Clay, or some similar one, may be adopted. But should the ill- 
will lictwccii the North anil .'^oiirii which has wrought the present fearful danger remain, sooner or 
luUr the conflict will be ri'iiewod. 



I. A 1> T T. S 

Wlio authorize Mrs. Emma WiUanl to present in iheir names the foregoing^ 
Memorial to Congress or any other Puhlic Body, as she may deem advisable. 



NAMES. 



RK3IDKNCES. 



NAMES. 



RESIDENCES. 



i/fH' "' 'o^ORBs, 




i 011 895 838 fl"« 

delegates from Georgia ami other southern States. But all southern 
efforts for the elevation of tlie African race were of necessity suppeiided, 
when bratiches of the British anli-^avery society having been inaugurated 
in New Knglatid by George Tiiompson and other enimi.-saries which that 
society had sent over, — incendiary papers were sent to tlie South, exciting 
the negroes to do, in the families of their masters, the deeds of St. Domingo, 
in order to obtain their freedom. Tlie misiuiderstandiiig and hatred, wliich 
is now producing its direful work, niigiit liave been prevented, bad .southern 
statesmen noted the fact, that these vile papers were sent in packages to 
post-office.*, and otherwise made to fall into the hands, rather of ma.sters 
than servants; showing that their inliMit was to give to southern [)1anters 
the false idea that their norlbcrn Ijrctlucn wc-re their enemies, wln-n not 
one in a thousand, knew aught of the work ^hus going on in their name. 

As soon as the conunissionors should find that the South had nothing 
more to fear from Nortlicrn agitators, they would not fail to recommend 
whatever may, witiiout imjiairing the rights of tlie master, elevate the 
servant. One of the improvements of the day derived from the sta- 
tistics of labor, is that the value of the labor increases in proportion to 
the intelligence of the laborer; and therefore to promote the intellectual 
improvem(>nt of the servant is to promote the interest of the master. 
And while absolute sovereigns in these days of reform are granting constitu- 
tions to inieasy subjects and modifications in their condition, such as may 
better secure their affections and prevent their being dangerous, a question 
may arise whether it might not be better to grant to the ambitious among 
the negroes, the hope that by extra services of their own, they might 
obtain, though late in life, a period to tlieir servitude ; when tlify might 
bv emigration to Liberia or wherever their own race is in the ascendant, 
enjoy their freedom with the dignity of equality, which if ihey are ever 
deceived to believe that they may obtain in this country, tiiey will only 
find themselves betrayed to morliticatioii and disappointment. 

When destruction threatens, it is wise to try even desperate remedies. 
Rome was wont to appoint a single man as absolute dictator, llnw much 
more then .should a remedy be tried which menaces no danger ; but which 
promises good at every step, and to every parly, — elevation to the 
colored race, — security to the South, — contentment to the North.— and re- 
stored contidence and harmony to all. Would that this happy tinu' had 
already come, when all true American hearts might again exult, that this 
mafuificent domain is once more our own undivided, and truly model 
Repiddic; and when — the darkness of these now lowering Heavens dis- 
pelled, we might again rejoice in the unclouded smile of our Heavenly 
Father. 



Having brought before j'our Honorable Body, what seems to us the best 
mode of settling this direful conflict, which threatens all we hold dear, 
— we now respectftdl}^ defer to your superior wisdom. Wliat we have 
suggested, if not acceptable, may yet lead to something which will be. 
Our humble petition is, that tiiose to whom, in our feebleness, we look for 
help, will not allow party or sectional prejudices to prevail over a spirit of 
mutual conciliation. We pray you ibr our sake, — and in the name of 
every endearing tie which unites man to woman — as father, protector, — 
brother, and friend, — not to abandon us to feel that we and our children 
are, by needless animosities, to lose the noble political inheritance 
left us by tiie valor and wisdom of our common fathers ; but that the 
grand fabric which they constructed — may be preserved with equal talents 
and virtues by their descendants; — for which your petitioners will ever 
devoutly pray. 



Note. — The object for which this Memorial is sent forth, is to obtain Ladies' signa- 
tures, as indicated by tiie following blank jwges. 

Memorials arc sent to all those members of the Young Men's Christian Association, 
who, in the summer of 18 )9, left their names in tlie book of their autographs pre- 
sented to Mrs. Emma Wiihud, after their united call, made during the session of their 
convention in Troy. Indeed in undertaking a work in which— looking to God for a 
blessing, she assumes to act as a Mother in our political Israel, she considers, that 
when your respected society— marshalled by states, and introduced by your Presi- 
dent,— from Maine to California— from Carolina to Minnesota, came to pay her that 
filial token of respect— that it was an act on your part, esjiecially as you knew that 
she had former pupils in all your states, that invested her with the privileged right of 
coming forward in this hour of peril, and pleading for our beloved country, tn the 
name of American women. And affectionately and firndy have they thus far sustained 
her. And she now begs of you, and of all other Gentlemen, and all Ladies, to whom 
this Memorial shall be sent, to procure the signatures of the Ladies of your vicinity, 
and send th.-m as soon as possil)Ie, directed to Mrs. Emma Wiliard, Brown's Hotel' 
Washington, D. C. ' 



